King Tote… Ford (Mar, 1980)

King Tote… Ford

America’s best MPG Van. King-size payioad, king-size economy.

Ford vans are built tough. 1980 models can take up to 2,300 kg (5,070 lbs.—of payload—more than last year on most models). They’re built for spacious comfort. Out-front engine design means plenty of move-around room for driver and passengers.
Above all, they’re built for long-run economy. 1980 Fords have the best gas mileage estimates of any van. Plus an estimated highway cruising range that’s hundreds of miles longer than others.

@Jari, this was just after the first big King Tut exhibit closed in 1979. At this point people were associating King Tut with wealth, luxury, beauty, and mystery: not a bad association for any product, let alone a boring old panel van.

Scott B. says: June 23, 201112:28 pm

I had the same thought about mileage, Rick. I mean, just look at that inefficient load of steel there. Yet my Honda CR-V is a fraction of the size, has a smaller engine and weighs a lot less, and it gets 19 (or less) around town and maybe 30 on the highway. Pitiful.

Jari says: June 23, 20115:32 pm

John, Charlene: Thanks for the info. Never realized how big that whole King Tut exhibition was back then over there. And now I can finally put Steve Martins “King Tut ” song in a context. I mean he pulled stadiums full of people. But then again, it’s a frigging van…

John: Okay, maybe too esoteric reference. Visit Kairo, eat something not-so-well-cooked, and you’ll get something that locals call “The curse of the Pharaohs”. Not the most fun 2 days in my life in the late 90’s…..

Scott Strang says: November 27, 20114:14 pm

OMG! I remember seeing that I intensely stupid-looking van in a National Geo mag.